Mirrors, Eye-closing

[4StringFox]

For the past several months I have been a full-time college student with 2 jobs; correspondingly, my bass has been sitting neglected since February. Now that I am home on break with NO job (thanks Bush), I have plenty of time on my hands. So after bringing her flowers, holding her, and promising I'd never leave her again, my bass and I started to practice. I'm still building strength, endurance, flexibility, and calluses back up, so I'm not playing much yet.

Two friends who returned to guitar after long absences recommended playing while watching my hands in a mirror, and playing with my eyes closed.

I'd never heard of those before, so I tried them today. Closing eyes led to better tone but not much other change. Using the mirror, my accuracy and timing were much better, but tone sometimes suffered (when I paid too much attention to what I was watching instead of what I was hearing).

Just curious -- anyone else tried these? Find them useful, useless, stupid, fun? If you have any other tips for a resuscitated bassist, feel free to pass those on by post or IM too

[hodgy]

I saw a dude play 3 sets last night with his eyes closed almost the whole time. He was totally getting into the groove. Personally, I think it makes for a better show when you don't have to look at the neck when you're playing. Except I can't really keep my eyes closed because there are 6 other idiots jumping around on stage besides myself and I gotta watch out or I'll get knocked over by somebody.
I do use the mirror thing in my jam room at home, but it's probably because I'm an egomaniacal narcissist and I can't get enough of myself.

[ironmaidenisgod]

I look at the mirror when I try flashy stuff.I like to see how cool I am.
Though I do sometimes get scre*ed in the process.

[stephanie]

I believe such things can be beneficial. Playing in front of a mirror can help you check up on your technique and body position. I like to play with my eyes closed a lot. You know, shut off one sense to hone another. It also aids me into going deep inside what I'm playing, what colors and feelings come out of it. It can also help those that constantly rely on the fretboard for guidance (I'm guilty sometimes of that) become less reliant.

[Lackey]

Originally Posted by 4StringFox

Now that I am home on break with NO job (thanks Bush), I have plenty of time on my hands.

Thanks for sharing your unsolicited political commentary with the rest of us.



...Mirrors? Smoke?

Actually I have used it for examing my right hand/wrist positioning.

[darkjoker667]

Originally Posted by Lackey

Thanks for sharing your unsolicited political commentary with the rest of us.



...Mirrors? Smoke?

Actually I have used it for examing my right hand/wrist positioning.

It was two words, don't get so offended.

Sometimes I set a video camera up across the room and record maybe 5 minutes of me playing. It helps finding problems in my technique.

[Viper]

well... it's meaningless and stupid but it's lots of fun to hang over the side of your bed and play upside down.... or play a bass guitar upright like a string bass... yea meaningless and stupid but very fun